Carnival Cruises
This is a floating fun palace for ultra-casual family cruising
The Ship. Carnival Triumph is a contemporary ship, with extremely short bows (the pointy bit at the front) and swept-wing funnel in red, white, and blue. It is designed specifically for families with children, who probably won’t want to leave when the cruise is over. The ship underwent quite an extensive facelift in 2013, which added new facilities and eating options.
Outside on Lido Deck, there is one small pool (with adjacent hot tubs – although the whole area is extremely cluttered and congested), and one aft pool (with retractable glass roof for use in poor weather conditions). Note that there are no cushioned pads for the sunloungers, but there is a large poolside movie screen. Also outside is a long water slide, which travels 200 ft (60m) from just aft of the ship’s mast.
Inside, the decor is quite tasteful, and is themed around great European cities including Rome and Paris. The layout is fairly logical and it’s quite easy to find one’s way around. There are basically three decks full of bars and lounges to enjoy.
The interior focal point is a main (atrium) lobby, which is nine decks high and topped by a glass-domed roof. The lowest deck features a square-shaped bar, facing forward to glass-walled elevators.
Carnival Triumph is a floating playground for the young, and anyone who enjoys constant stimulation and participation events, together with the three ‘Gs’ – glitz, glamour, and gambling. The cuisine is not much to write home about, but, hey, this is cruising Splash Vegas style – and it’s a fun, all-American experience. Because it’s a large resort ship, expect lines for the likes of shore excursions, security control when re-boarding, and disembarkation, plus sign-up sheets for fitness equipment. Getting away from noise is difficult.
Accommodation. There are numerous price categories, depending on the grade, location and size you choose. Over half of all cabins are outside and measure 225 sq ft (21 sq m). They are spread over four decks and have private balconies extending from the ship’s side, with glass rather than steel balustrades for unobstructed ocean views, and bright fluorescent lighting. They are of good size and have all the basics, although the furniture is angular, with no rounded edges. Three decks of cabins – eight per deck, each with private balcony – overlook the stern.
Many cabins have upper and lower bunk beds – good for families with small children. Interactive ‘Fun Vision’ technology includes movies on demand, for a fee. The bathrooms, which have good-size showers, have good storage space for toiletries.
Book one of the suites, and you get Skipper’s Club priority benefits and other perks.
Dining. There are two main dining rooms, one forward (London) with windows on two sides and 706 seats, and the other (Paris) aft with windows on three sides and 1,090 seats. Each spans two decks, and incorporates a dozen domes and chandeliers. Tables are for two to eight. The dining room entrances have comfortable drinking areas for pre-dinner cocktails.
You can choose either fixed-time dining (6pm or 8.15pm), or flexible dining (during opening times). Although the menu choice looks good, the actual cuisine delivered is adequate, nothing more. Note that the two main dining rooms are not open for lunch on port days.
The food really is rather starchy and non-memorable, with simple presentation, few garnishes, and many dishes disguised with gravies and sauces. The selection of fresh green vegetables, bread, and bakery items (these are thawed and then baked from frozen ‘starter’ dough), cheeses, and fruit is limited, and there is heavy use of rice, canned fruit, and jellied desserts. The waiters sing and dance, so think ‘foodertainment’ rather than food quality. Also, there are no wine waiters, and the wine glasses are small. For something really simple, an ‘always available’ list of ‘Carnival Classics’ includes mahi-mahi (fish), baby back ribs (beef), and grilled chicken.
The Steakhouse is a reservations-required extra-cost venue, featuring prime steaks and grilled seafood. It has fine table settings, china, and silverware, leather-bound menus, and decor set around Scarlett O’Hara, the heroine of Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel Gone With the Wind.
For ultra-casual eating, go to the Lido Deck self-serve buffet area. There are several sections (the ship’s decor theme is, after all, international) including a deli, and an Asian section. Outside on deck and adjacent is a pizzeria, Guy’s Burger Joint (for burgers, hand-cut fries, and assorted toppings), and the BlueIguana Cantina. The buffet itself is congested for much of the time, particularly for breakfast (my advice would be to go to one of the main dining rooms for a more relaxed breakfast).
Revamped bars include a poolside RedFrog Rum Bar (where you can also get ThirstyFrog Red – Carnival’s private-label draft brew), BlueIguana Tequila Bar (for frozen Mexican-style cocktails and tequila), and a Sports Bar (an interactive venue with video games and a 24/7 sports ticker).
Entertainment. The three-level Rome Main Lounge is a stunning room, with a revolving stage, hydraulic orchestra pit, loud sound, and seating on three levels, the upper levels being tiered through two decks. A proscenium arch over the stage acts as a scenery loft.
Spa/Fitness. SpaCarnival spans two decks, and is located directly above the navigation bridge, and accessed from the forward stairway. Lower-level facilities include a solarium, massage/body treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms for men and women, and a beauty parlor; the upper level consists of a large gymnasium with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, including ocean views, and an aerobics room with instructor-led classes, some at extra cost.